Pharma company focus on drug discovery and development, as well as producing pharmaceuticals. These companies typically have multiple drugs in various stages of clinical trials. Once a drug is approved by regulators, it can be mass-produced and sold to patients worldwide.
AbbVie, ranked second in 2022, saw its revenue grow thanks to its dermatitis drug Dupixent and psoriasis pill Humira. It also has a presence in the oncology, immunology, gastrointestinal, and neuroscience fields.
Pfizer
Pfizer is an American multinational pharmaceutical and biomedical company that focuses on researching, developing, manufacturing, and marketing medications and vaccines for human and animal use. The company has numerous best-selling products, including Zoloft, an antidepressant; Viagra, a treatment for erectile dysfunction; and Xanax, an anxiety medication. It also produces over-the-counter products such as ChapStick and Preparation H, a hemorrhoid treatment. The company has a presence in over 180 countries worldwide.
Pfizer has access strategies for four of its cancer treatments, including the on-patent product palbociclib (Ibrance(r)) and the off-patent product vincristine (Vincristine(r)), in lower-middle income countries and has pledged to supply 2 billion doses of Comirnaty, its COVID-19 vaccine, to LMICs. It also has an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate and is moving forward with mRNA scientific innovation, including potential applications in infectious diseases.
The company has a good record on responsible promotional practices, with sales agents not solely incentivised by sales volume targets and no specific incentives for individual healthcare professionals. However, it does not disclose information about transfers of value to health professionals in countries in scope of the Index, unless required by law or local regulations. Pfizer is also not transparent about the pricing of its medicines. The company has a large number of complex agreements that can make its pricing difficult to understand. It also has several different arrangements for tax-deductible payments and rebates.
AbbVie
AbbVie is a top pharmaceutical company that produces small-molecule drugs. It is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and was spun off from Abbott Laboratories in 2013. Its most well-known products include rheumatoid arthritis medicine Humira and cancer treatments Imbruvica and Lupron. Its other drugs include Lexapro, Loestrin, and Norco, a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen used to treat moderate pain.
The company ranked first in the immunology category, led by Humira and Skyrizi, and was third in oncology, led by Ibrutinib. It also ranked third in the pharmacology category, with its high-profile drugs like Botox. In addition, it has a strong presence in neuroscience and autoimmune diseases, with therapies such as HCV vaccines. Its 2020 acquisition of Allergan further bolstered its portfolio.
Governance of Access: 10th place
AbbVie demonstrates good transparency with respect to its access activities, with commitments, measurable goals and objectives for improving access in countries in scope. It also discloses the outcomes of a subset of its access-to-medicine initiatives.
AbbVie demonstrates an average performance with regard to inclusive business models and the supply of healthcare practitioner- and self-administered products through supranational procurers. It also demonstrates poor performance in the area of capacity building and non-exclusive voluntary licensing. The company has a comprehensive access strategy and provides evidence of access plans for some R&D projects in late stage development.
Gilead Sciences Inc
Gilead Sciences is one of the top biggest pharma companies and develops innovative therapeutics to address life-threatening diseases. The company is headquartered in Foster City, California and serves patients worldwide. The company’s products include antiviral medications such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C. It also offers hematology products and respiratory medicines. In addition, it has a growing oncology portfolio.
The company was founded in 1987 and is listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. The name of the company is derived from “Oligogen,” which refers to oligonucleotides, small strands of DNA that target specific gene sequences. The company’s original mission was to bring new hope in the face of devastating diseases, and that has never changed.
Despite its impressive product portfolio, Gilead’s revenue declined in 2023 due to the loss of patent protection for several key drugs. In addition, a lawsuit filed by consumers and direct purchasers accused the company of maintaining a monopoly through so-called “pay-to-delay” deals.
The company is also facing litigation over its hepatitis C treatment, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir. The company’s 2022 revenue growth of more than 11% is attributed to this drug, as well as a broader pipeline. In the future, the company expects to release additional cancer therapies such as Yescarta/Tecartus and Trodelvy. It will also continue to expand its presence in infectious diseases with the acquisition of Kite and Immunomedics.
Bristol-Myers Squibb
BMS is one of the top biggest pharma companies and produces pharmaceuticals and biologics across several therapeutic areas. Its oncology products, such as Revlimid and Imbruvica, have become some of the most popular drugs worldwide. In recent years, the company has experienced increasing revenues, especially in its prioritized brand areas. However, its net income has remained variable over time.
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s roots go back to 1858 when Edward R. Squibb founded a pharmaceutical company in New York City. It was one of the first American drug makers to expand its research efforts into other areas beyond antibiotics and synthetic penicillins, such as cancer and cardiovascular agents. In the 1970s, the firm refocused its attention on healthcare and introduced several drugs, including hydroxyurea for leukemia and ovarian cancer; Blenoxane (bleomycin sulfate) for head and neck cancers and non-Hodgkins lymphoma; and Ceenu (lomustine), a cancer treatment for brain and other cancers.
The company’s top products in 2023 included Revlimid and Opdivo, both used to treat certain cancers, as well as Eliquis, a blood thinner. In addition, the company has several other important products, such as Orencia and Sprycel, which are used to treat fibrotic diseases.
The company has a relatively high performance score in securing access to its medicines in LMICs. The company has a number of access strategies for its medicines, and it has an above-average performance in securing access to its medicines in countries that are eligible to benefit from the Global Fund’s supranational procurement agreement.
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